The Glocks are also semi-automatic, meaning once a round is chambered all the shooter needs to do is keep pulling the trigger until the clip is empty. They weigh about 2 lbs when loaded with up to 17 .40 caliber rounds. The .40 calibers flatten when they enter the body, without passing through, causing the most damage possible.

With all this hardware, Holmes burst in through an exit door at the front of the theater, tossed at least one tear gas canister to the floor and fired into the ceiling causing profound chaos and panic.

Twelve people are believed to be dead of the 71 people shot. That's a lot of bullets – meaning Holmes had to reload as he calmly stalked the theater, shooting people running for the exits as he walked up the aisle.

Assuming the small arsenal he brought with him was acquired legally (some of Colorado's gun laws are listed below) Holmes would have went through the required background check and passed given that reports of his criminal history include only the traffic ticket reported by NBC.

It's curious that Holmes clearly came prepared to receive fire from law enforcement, but according to police he calmly gave himself up. It's also worth noting that this equipment would have cost several-thousand-dollars regardless of where it was purchased

NBC via Video

Looking further at the same scene it appears there could be a police shield against the side of the building near the rest of the discarded gear.

NBC via Video

Beside the shield and in front of the Hyundai Holmes drove to the Cinemaplex, there also looks to be dark, liquid splashes. The spots stretch from the bottom right of the picture below, to the door of the theater down the alley at the top.

* As of 2003, it is illegal for any local government or law enforcement agency to "enact an ordinance, regulation or other law that prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of a firearm that a person may lawfully sell, purchase or possess under state or federal law."

* It is prohibited for law enforcement or local government to build databases of gun buyers or gun owners who leave weapons for repair or sale on consignment; people who transfer gun ownership unless they are federally licensed gun dealers; or serial numbers of guns bought, sold, dropped off for repair or left for sale on consignment.

* There are no laws pertaining to bringing firearms from another state.